Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has emphasized the need for collective action to build a nation that inspires patriotism among young people. Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch C Stream of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Awgu, Mbah stressed that Nigeria's large youth population can only become a demographic dividend if the nation provides the necessary education, skills, jobs, and institutions to harness their energy and talent.
Mbah highlighted the importance of creating a country where young people can see a future for themselves, citing the need for quality education, an enabling environment for enterprise, and expanded opportunities. He also emphasized that merit should be rewarded, hard work should have meaning, and dreams should not have to be exported to become a reality. The governor's remarks were made in the presence of 2,101 corps members, comprising 983 males and 1,118 females, who were sworn in at the event.
The State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Oluwakemi Awolola, expressed gratitude to the Enugu State government for its support and assistance to the NYSC scheme. She noted that the state government's interventions have created a conducive environment for the successful implementation of NYSC programs in Enugu State. Awolola also highlighted the ongoing comprehensive intervention and overhaul of facilities at the NYSC permanent Orientation Camp, Awgu.
Awolola emphasized the importance of discipline in the NYSC scheme, urging the corps members to adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the service. She advised them to respect constituted authority and observe NYSC bye-laws. The corps members were deployed to Enugu State as part of the NYSC program, which aims to promote national unity and development through youth service.
Governor Mbah also urged the youth to never forget the demands patriotism makes of them, both in good and difficult times. He emphasized that patriotism requires young people to refuse to give up on the country's possibilities, even when it is imperfect, and to criticize what is wrong without abandoning what can be made right.
The governor's call for collective effort to earn youth patriotism resonated with the corps members, who were eager to contribute to national development. The NYSC program has been instrumental in promoting national unity and development, and the Enugu State government has demonstrated its commitment to the scheme through various interventions.
The swearing-in ceremony marked the beginning of the corps members' one-year service, during which they will be engaged in various activities aimed at promoting national development. The Enugu State government has pledged to continue supporting the NYSC scheme, ensuring a conducive environment for the corps members to carry out their service.
Key points
- - Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah calls for collective effort to build a nation that earns the patriotism of young people. - The governor emphasizes the need for quality education, an enabling environment for enterprise, and expanded opportunities to harness the energy and talent of Nigeria's youth population. - 2,101 corps members were sworn in at the event, comprising 983 males and 1,118 females.
